The best Shark vacuum cleaners 2025: superb Shark cleaners for every household

Today's best Shark vacuum cleaners have become a serious rival to the likes of Dyson. This brand now crops up repeatedly in my best vacuum cleaner roundup, and with good reason: they're well designed and well built, with clever additions that range from simple-but-super-useful (a flexible wand that lets you get right under furniture without bending down) to hi-tech (sensors that detect dirt, floor type and edges, and respond accordingly), to unexpected (an odor-neutralizing puck that keeps your vacuum and floors smelling fresh).

The Shark vacuum range is massive, encompassing everything from cordless stick vacs to uprights to handhelds. All that choice can be overwhelming though, and not least thanks to this brand's confusing naming conventions. To help you crack through the jargon and figure out which is the right Shark vacuum cleaner for you, I've put together this guide.

All the models in this list have been thoroughly tested by experienced reviewers in real-world scenarios, and been given TechRadar's official stamp of approval. Read on for the best Shark vacuums on the market today.

The quick list

The best Shark vacuum overall

Image 1 of 3

The best Shark vacuum in the lineup right now is the Shark PowerDetect Cordless. This is the newest cordless vacuum in the range, and combines the outright power of the Stratos line (#3) with the smart features of the Detect Pro line (#2), with a few extra tricks thrown in for good measure. In terms of performance, it's the best Shark vacuum you can buy (and in fact one of the best cordless vacuums, period), but that also means it's one of the priciest – although still nowhere near as expensive as many other brands' range-toppers, and still very strong value for money.

This clever vacuum can sense its environment and auto-adjust accordingly for a clean that's effective as well as battery-efficient. So it knows what type of floor it's on and how dirty that floor is, and whether it's near the edge of a room, and will increase or lower suction in response. It'll also brighten its headlamps when it senses it's going into a darker area. On test all these features worked as advertised – our tester was especially impressed with the edge cleaning features. The floorhead has been upgraded for this model so that it can clean just as well on the pull-back as it does when being pushed forwards. This works well in practice – it's noticeably better than the Detect Pro (#2) in this regard.

Maneuverability is good, with a wand that bends forward to help you get under furniture without having to crouch down. However, it's a relatively heavy option, so don't expect it to be quite as nimble as something like the Detect Pro. It's also rather tall, which might be an issue if you're trying to clean a cramped hallway, for example.

No specifics are given on suction, but Shark says it's as powerful as the suckiest cordless models you'll find elsewhere in the lineup (namely, the Stratos cordless). It aced all TechRadar's suction tests, and worked just as well on carpet as it did on hard floors. However, for ultimate power, you'll need to concede some portability and go for a corded upright (#5).

An extra bonus feature is the optional auto-empty base. This sucks the dust straight from the canister when docked, minimizing the number of visits to the bin and the amount of dust that can escape back into the air, making it a particularly strong choice for those with allergies. The Detect Pro is currently the only other option to have a compatible auto-empty base.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum review

The best lightweight Shark vacuum

Image 1 of 3

The Shark Detect Pro cordless comes a close second in my best Shark vacuum ranking, and is a better choice if you want something lightweight and nimble. It doesn't have enough power for tons of carpet or pet hair (for that, you want the PowerDetect #1 or Stratos #3), but will be plenty sucky enough for homes that have a lot of hard floors with a bit of carpet or the occasional rug.

You're getting most of the same automations included with the PowerDetect (see exactly how the two compare in my Shark PowerDetect vs Detect Pro article). This vac can adjust suction based on whether it's on hard floor or carpet, how much dirt it on the floor, and whether it's near the edge of a room. All that means an efficient, low effort clean. However, the floorhead it will pool loose dirt when pulled backwards; an issue Shark has solved with the PowerDetect.

The dust cup is relatively small but easy to empty. Alternatively – if you have space for it – you could go for the option with the auto-empty base, which only appears on the newest Shark cordless vacs. Our review model included this optional extra, and our tester was supremely impressed with it.

Price-wise it's a bit of a Wild West. In the past we've seen major discounts on this model, but those seem to have dried up, and Shark seems particularly keen for you to buy the version with the auto-empty base – the vacuum on its own is increasingly tricky to find and often costs more than the auto-empty alternative.

Read our full Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum review

• ^ Back to the top

The best upright Shark vacuum

Image 1 of 3

The Shark PowerDetect Upright is the most powerful vacuum on my list, which means if you're looking for something to do a deep clean, or have particularly hairy pets, it'll be more than up to the job. It's heavier and bulkier than a stick vacuum, but Shark has gone some way to negating this with a clever modular design that makes it easy and comfortable to use to clean awkward spots like stairs and furniture.

The PowerDetect Upright is a cut above most of the best upright vacuums on the market in that it features some of the kinds of advanced features usually reserved for stick vacs. Specifically, it can automatically adjust power based on the floor type and how dirty it is, as well as boosting suction when it approaches the edge of a room. Shark has redesigned the floorhead so that when you pull it back over chunky debris, it sucks it up rather than causing it to pool up, as is the case with most vacuums. There's a generous dust cup that will hold plenty of dust and hair, and there's an anti-odor puck to keep floors smelling fresh.

On test my reviewer found it performed extremely well on all different floor types, and was especially effective on carpet. It's corded, which means you'll never run out of power, and you can expect a longer overall lifespan for this machine compared to a cordless (here's more on how long your vacuum should last). However, you will need to deal with plugging and unplugging as needed, so if that's a deal-breaker, check out the PowerDetect (#1) or Stratos cordess (#3), both of which pack plenty of power for cordless models.

Shoppers in the UK should also check out the Shark Stratos Pet Pro Upright, which we rated extremely highly on test.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect Upright review

• ^ Back to the top

The best Shark vacuum for pet hair and carpet

If you have shedding pets and/or your home is mostly carpet, you'll need a vacuum with some oomph. Enter: the Shark Stratos Cordless. It's heavier and bulkier than the Detect Pro at #2, but packs more power, which is what you need if you're going to get hair, dust and dirt out of your carpets. The dust cup is generous in size, meaning fewer trips to the trash while you're cleaning. Like a number of Shark's newer vacuum cleaners, it has an odor-neutralizer built in, designed to keep your vacuum fresh, even if the dust cup is full of dog fur.

There are a couple of caveats I should state at this point. Firstly, if you're willing to sacrifice the convenience of cordless, I'd definitely recommend checking out the PowerDetect Upright (#3) instead. Corded uprights are almost always far more powerful and robust than any cordless stick vacuum, and that's the case here.

Secondly, based on specs and performance, there's real no reason to choose the Stratos instead of the PowerDetect (#1). However, discounts are common on the Stratos, so if you spot a good price-drop that makes it cheaper than the PowerDetect, it's definitely worth considering. See exactly how these two models match up in my Shark PowerDetect vs Stratos article.

The Stratos can intelligently adjust suction based on floor type, but it doesn't have the complete range of automation features available with newer Shark vacuums – it can't detect edges, nor will it offer the PowerDetect's suction-in-reverse skills. The main floorhead has two rollers to enable it to tackle hard floors as well as carpet, and there's a guard that siphons off hair as it's collected, rather than letting it clog the rollers.

That extra power and larger bin size means it's heavier than many Shark stick vacuums, but it's still a cordless stick vacuum, and the design is impressively maneuverable despite that extra weight. You've got that popular flexible wand, and the floorhead can pivot at 90 degrees to get into the corners of closets and the like. For more fur-friendly options, we have a separate, dedicated guide to the best vacuums for pet hair.

Read our full Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum review

• ^ Back to the top

The best Shark robot vacuum

If you're looking for a hands-off option, the PowerDetect robot vacuum and mop is TechRadar's favorite Shark robovac. This clever robovac can be operated remotely via the app, or set to run regularly on a schedule, for absolutely minimal disruption and effort. It can also mop as well as vacuuming, meaning it can take care of your hard floors as well as your carpets.

There are some limitations to going for a robo-option. Even today's best robot vacuums aren't as powerful as a manual vacuum, so you'll want to supplement it with a backup vac for deep cleans (as well as tackling things like stairs and furniture). Where robot vacuums – including this one – excel, is at regular, light cleaning, so the dust doesn't get a chance to build up.

Overall, this robot vacuum impressed our reviewer on test. It can auto-adjust suction based on floor type and dirt levels, lift itself over especially tall room thresholds, and is great at navigating and avoiding obstacles, so you'll be able to confidently leave it to clean while you're out of the house. It's not perfect – mopping left our tester's floors wetter than they'd like, and you can't override the automations to set water and suction levels manually, which is unusual and annoying. Despite these niggles, we still think it offers good value for money, and is a solid pick if you're looking for a Shark vacuum to take all the hassle out of cleaning.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect robot vacuum review

The best handheld Shark vacuum

Shark makes a few handheld vacuums, but our favorite is the UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus. It's compact and lightweight, and on test we found it packed enough suction power to pick up small and large debris, although it did sometimes take a few passes to grab the remnants of finer dust. We'd have preferred a swappable battery, but in lieu of that we're happy with the 15 minutes of runtime we got on a single charge (longer than the advertised 10 minutes). The dustbin is decently sizes, if a bit finicky to open. The three included tools make this vacuum particularly versatile and able to tackle a range of different cleaning tasks. All of this means we rate it one of the very best car vacuums around, as well as one of the best handheld vacuums.

Read our full Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus review

• ^ Back to the top

The best 2-in-1 Shark vacuum

The Shark WandVac system is essentially a handheld vacuum with an additional floorhead and wand that can be added to transform it into an ultra-lightweight floor vac. On test, our reviewer found it comfortable and easy to use, with a surprising amount of power given the tiny form factor. It worked especially well on hard floors, although it's also suitable for use on carpet, and it comes with anti-hair wrap tech to stop your floorhead getting clogged with hair as you clean. As you'd expect, it's one of the cheapest floor vacuums in our ranking.

This vacuum is perfect for small, light cleaning tasks. The short battery life (up to 16 minutes in most territories) and small dust cup mean it's no good for a whole-home clean, and while it offers decent suction for its size, it can't compete with any of the brand's dedicated floor vacuums on power, either. If you don't need the versatility of being able to use it as a floor vacuum, it's available as just a handheld, or check out our favorite Shark handheld vacuum at #7. And if you want a lightweight option that is suitable for use as a whole-home cleaner, hop up to the Detect Pro at #2.

Read our full Shark Wandvac System review

• ^ Back to the top

Best Shark vacuum: specs compared

How to choose the best Shark vacuum for you

The best Shark vacuum depends on your needs. If portability is a priority, you'll want a cordless stick vacuum. These are lighter, more compact, and easier to maneuver. There are plenty of cordless stick vacuums in Shark's lineup, the most advanced of which have auto-empty docks that mean you won't need to deal with the mess of regularly emptying the onboard bin.

If you need power and are okay using a cord, a corded upright is going to deliver the most suction. It's a good idea to prioritize this is you have lot of carpet in your home, or particularly hairy pets. There are a few corded uprights in the Shark range, and most are based around the same versatile, modular design.

Beyond that, you'll want to look at what features you need – Shark vacuum technologies include various automation capabilities, a forward-bending wand for cleaning right under furniture, and an anti-odor puck to keep things smelling fresh. The final thing to look at is your budget. Don't take list prices at face value; this brand loves a deal, and prices shift regularly throughout the year.

I've focused on manual vacuums above, but Shark also has a range of robot vacuums. That's the obvious choice if you want a low-effort option. Once you've done the initial setup, it'll vacuum and maybe mop your floors with almost no intervention required from you. Robovacs are ideal for regular cleaning but aren’t as good for deep cleaning.

How we tested these Shark vacuums

We have a set of standardized suction tests that we use for all vacuums we review. These involve sprinkling loose tea and oats on carpeted and hard flooring and seeing how efficiently the vacuum sucks it up. We also assess how well the vacuum handles hair, and if it can clean right up to the edges of rooms. If there are any automation features, we'll test those too.

Aside from cleaning power, we look at how maneuverable the vacuum is, if it's comfortable to use, and how well-designed and useful any detail tools are. For cordless models, we test if the real-world runtimes match manufacturer claims. We'll compare our findings to other vacuums we've reviewed, and if the quality and performance is in line with the price tag.

Read more on how we test vacuum cleaners.

• You've reached the end of the page. Jump back up to the top ^